The Inside the Hall Mailbag is a collection of questions tweeted to us via Twitter (@insidethehall) and sent to us via our Facebook page. Submit your questions and we’ll answer as many as we can.

@bpollard writes: What are your thoughts on the development of Hanner Perea to date? Do you see him earning more minutes in January?

It’s really hard to get an accurate gauge of just how far Mosquera-Perea has come from the beginning of the season because we’ve seen very little of him on the floor. He did play double-digit minutes in blowout wins over Mount St. Mary’s, Florida Atlantic and Jacksonville, but played just a total of seven minutes against Butler and Iowa.

There’s no denying the physical talent he possesses, but he’s got six turnovers in a total of 43 minutes and besides the Florida Atlantic game (10 rebounds), he’s combined for a total of three in his other four games. That said, it’s only been five games, so this question is perhaps better addressed at the end of January. How his role progresses will be determined by his ability to finish plays around the basket, rebound more consistently and limit mistakes. — Alex Bozich

@RickFrazier writes: Do you ever see Elston having a more pivotal role than the one he is in now (5 or so minutes per game)?

Of course. He’s only played in four games and is coming off of knee surgery. He’s going to need time to get his conditioning back and become more comfortable on the floor. I’m not sure he’s going to have many games where he’s playing more than 12-15 minutes, but he’s certainly a valuable piece of the bench because of his experience and his ability to knock down open shots. — Alex Bozich

@stevemarko23 writes: I know its early, but should there be concern ‘the movement’ was a tad overhyped? Yogi seems to be the only real impact guy

It’s not just early, it’s super early. Jeremy Hollowell just sat out three games and Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Peter Jurkin sat out nine games each to start the season. I’m not sure how anyone can make a reasonable judgement on any of those three players as we sit here on Jan. 2.

Hollowell did some positive things in the win at Iowa, including a late block that kept the lead at three when it could have been one. Anyone who was operating under the illusion that “the movement” was going to come in and take major minutes in a program that returned mostly everybody from a Sweet Sixteen team was misguided. Ferrell was the most college ready of the four players and as the season moves along, I would expect Hollowell and Mosquera-Perea to have their moments. Patience, people. Patience. — Alex Bozich

@renn3425 writes: when will the fans know more of what happened with hollowell?

Fred Glass said the details will be released sometime this week. — Alex Bozich

@mattyork1941 writes: is cody zeller in a soph slump or just victim to a lot of scoring options? Should the offense run through him

Sophomore slump? He’s averaging more points and rebounds than he did last season. Here are the numbers: 15.6 and 6.5 rebounds in 2011-2012 versus 16.5 and 8.1 rebounds thus far in 2012-2013. His effective field goal percentage is also nearly identical to where he finished up last season.

To answer the second part of your question, the ball will continue to go into Zeller when it’s there, but I think Indiana is doing a nice job of not trying to force things that aren’t available. There’s enough talent on the roster and enough other scoring options that if the opposition tries to take away Zeller, the Hoosiers have enough other pieces to win. — Alex Bozich

@gshamilton writes: Sure I’m not the first, but if Oladipo continues his impressive play, does he go pro after this year?

It certainly seems like a strong possibility. Oladipo is all the way up to No. 31 on Chad Ford’s top 100 over on ESPN.com and our Justin Albers has been checking in regularly with a NBA scout for his thoughts on Oladipo over in the forum. For Oladipo, the main question coming into the season was his perimeter shooting and he’s knocking down 45.5 percent of his 3-point attempts as a junior. He’s also taken his defense to another level and there are few players in the country, if any, with a higher motor. This is also shaping up to be a down year for the NBA Draft, so that has to play into the decision, too. — Alex Bozich

@TaylStev writes: With the few minutes that Jurkin has played, is he eligible to redshirt?

Unless he suffers an injury that would allow him to apply for a medical redshirt, no. — Alex Bozich

@JHub336 writes: a lot of people are disappointed in our win at Iowa. Don’t people need to realize this is how it will be all year in the B1G?

Perhaps there was the expectation from some that given IU’s ranking, the Hoosiers would just waltz into Iowa City and win easily, but yes, I agree that for the most part, Monday is an accurate forecast of how life will be in the road in the Big Ten. This could very well be an eight-bid league when it comes to the NCAA Tournament and Iowa is one of the teams with a chance to be in that group. I think Monday’s win should be encouraging for a couple of reasons: 1. IU didn’t play nearly as well as it is capable of and still won. They won ugly away from Assembly Hall. That is progress. 2. This is a win that positions IU well for a strong road start in Big Ten play. The next three road games are Penn State, Northwestern and Purdue. After winning at Iowa, the Hoosiers should have even more confidence going into each of those games. — Alex Bozich

Seriously Marcus? I dont agree with that at all. Are you watching any games outside of IU?

IUMIKE1

lol….and according to Chronic Hoosier’s site he not only loves IU bball he blanking loves IU bball.

IUMIKE1

All good points and not just because I agree with them.

PDXHoosier

The encouraging part is that they won

Kenneth234

I would never compare Eric Gordon and Victor Oladipo for a few simple reasons. One, Eric Gordon has and will always be an offensive machine who will throw up massive amounts of shots. Second, Eric Gordon from day 1 had the pressure of being the guy who was the missing piece for a championship team in D.J. White’s final year. However, despite his high point per game average, I really think that Gordon suffered from the pressure of expectations which did not allow him to shoot a more reflective shooting percentage considering his talents that he had.

But that is not to take anything away from Victor Oladipo at all.

Kenneth234

I would never compare Eric Gordon and Victor Oladipo for a few simple reasons. One, Eric Gordon has and will always be an offensive machine who will throw up massive amounts of shots. Second, Eric Gordon from day 1 had the pressure of being the guy who was the missing piece for a championship team in D.J. White’s final year. However, despite his high point per game average, I really think that Gordon suffered from the pressure of expectations which did not allow him to shoot a more reflective shooting percentage considering his talents that he had.

But that is not to take anything away from Victor Oladipo at all.

b_side

Forget the pressure…poor guy was stuck in a horrific coaching scandal, along with selfish teammates and a wrist injury on his shooting hand. Despite the injury plagued start to his NBA career, there’s a reason he’s getting max money.

MPmike

You said it. Life will be hard on the road just ask Illinois losing to

Purdue.

sams212

Cody Zeller is a good basketball player, and he is having a good year. People need to realize that this team does not need to rely on CZ because we have so many offensive weapons. The ball doesn’t need to go to him every play. Also I think that the hype surrounding him made him seem like Shaq or something and he would score 20 points a game. Thats just not going to happen with the amount of talent on this team. If Zeller was on a team like Northwestern or Purdue he would seem a lot more dominent.

I do think that Cody needs to work on playing tougher and I think he will learn to use his size. If he doesn’t start using his size he will loose out to people like Derrick Nix and Mitch McGary.

Just my opinion. Go Hoosiers!

marcusgresham

…and I forgot to add that Victor, to the best of my knowledge, has never infuriated the opposing crowd to the point they shout “Oladipo sucks!”

CreamandCrimson

That’s a legitimate question. I think we will see more Remy Abell. Will Sheehey and Victor will probably see more time on the floor together (Yogi/Jordan, VO, Will, Watford and Zeller). I think he will stick with the starting lineup (assuming our team is healthy when we meet them), try to put Hulls on Stauskas and see if adjust as needed as the game goes on.

I do have one adjustment to your comment….I don’t think Illinois will be looming in the Big Ten title picture. They rely on the three-pointer too much, don’t have anything resembling an inside threat and are not deep enough to contend for the title in this year’s loaded Big Ten. I think Minnesota is way better than the Illini. The Gophers will be the ones looming and before we worry about Michigan, we are hosting Minnesota (the only team to beat us at home last season).

Ole Man

Excellent thoughts.

Ole Man

Excellent thoughts.

CreamandCrimson

Victor reminds me quite a bit of Tony Allen in the beginning of his career. An elite defender, opponents hated him but teammates loved him, scored around the rim with putbacks and steals and hit the occasional jump shot. I’m not too worried about what he will be in the NBA though. I know that in college, he is currently the most exciting player in the game.

SCHoosier

Marcus..I think we are confusing terms. The Princeton offense is a SYSTEM..not a specific set play..but a series of plays (mainly back cuts) in a total offense. Set plays within a half court offense are used all the time. Crean has often referenced that “we ran some good half court sets tonight”..mean specific plays run within t he half court offense.

SCHoosier

Marcus..I think we are confusing terms. The Princeton offense is a SYSTEM..not a specific set play..but a series of plays (mainly back cuts) in a total offense. Set plays within a half court offense are used all the time. Crean has often referenced that “we ran some good half court sets tonight”..mean specific plays run within t he half court offense.

HannerTime Hoosier

BS! CTC always plays upperclassmen even when they suck, remember Verdell. CWat shoots terrible, forces shots w/o thinking about passing the rock & CTC does NOT throw him on the bench! #%$&*q kidding me?! Great coaches make all players accountable, they accept and demand excellence! Until that happens IU will not win banner #6.

HannerTime Hoosier

Will is not a LOCKDOWN defender! Not even close, Vic is the MAN!

HannerTime Hoosier

His team mates showed up stoned to practice!

b_side

Not stupid at all. No way can we replace Cody’s presence with a two-headed monster of Luke/Jurkin.

I think it’s fair to say that Victor is currently in the ideal role for him to exploit his talents. He’s got a blazing-fast/penetrating point guard, two terrific outside shooters and a post presence. Perfect for a guy who doesn’t need shots to impact the game offensively.

Re: Sheehey, while he will get Vic’s starting role next year, not sure he can replace Oladipo’s impact on BOTH ends of the floor.

b_side

To piggyback PDX, check out Alex’s RT of ESPN’s Andy Katz:

It is clear now more than ever that road wins in the Big Ten will be extremely hard to get (Ill L @PU). Indiana ahead of rest with [email protected]

calbert40

That is the exact same comparison that comes to my mind. I think having a player like Acy would be okay!!

calbert40

That is the exact same comparison that comes to my mind. I think having a player like Acy would be okay!!

HoosierKen73

Yes, the encouraging part is they won… I just fail to see why, when we are in a road game like that and we storm out to a fair lead…we did it several times at Iowa…why we can’t take it on out to 15 or 20 points. We go up by 6 or 8 and then it gets fizzled away. Against Butler we had a 6 point lead right near the end and let it disappear. Seems like we don’t have a ‘go to’ guy that is unstoppable in those situations. Zeller could be ‘that guy’, but typically we don’t get him the ball. We have other guys shooting that aren’t consistently hitting in those situations. Oladipo is probably the only one we could say has consistently been there when we needed him.

calbert40

Agreed. Any time we play anyone not named Nebraska, NW or PSU on the road, the team better buckle up or they could lose.

Iowa may not be ranked (I think they should be), but that is a tournament team, IMO. A lot of teams are going to lose in Iowa City this season.

Ummm…Dagwoods….
There are what? about fifteen slots on the team, and of those only seven or eight are going to get quality minutes the way Crean wants to run the team. No questions then on playing freshmen. I would love to see a second squad emerge with a strong defensive mindset to hold the lead the starters earned! Except for Oladipo, I do not see that heart for defense I’d like, especially in Hulls or Watford. They are awesome scorers, not stoppers. Defense is where the freshmen will earn their PT.

HoosierKen73

Oladipo reminds me of… a little taller, longer, Duane Wade. Saw a comparison last year where his stats through last year were very comparable to DW’s in fact even ahead of him in some areas, at that point in their respective careers. Think his shot has gotten quite a bit better this year…would love to see that comparison again sometime this year, if he continues the strong he is exhibiting right now…

calbert40

I am not as concerned as many about Hulls and Yogi playing together normally; however, I think that the UM match-up will dictate a change.

I think we will see more minutes for Remy. I also think Victor and Will will play a lot together at the 2 and 3 respectively. Hopefully, Elston and Hanner are ready to play more meaningful minutes by that game, because I think Zeller will need another big body underneath to shield him from fatigue and foul trouble.

Oldguyy

Woodbury is all of five pounds lighter than Zeller.

CreanFaithful

Hmmm… who was CTC supposed to start over Verdell? Remy? I love Remy, but he wasn’t going to run our offense as a freshman.

Watford deserves his minutes, that is just ridiculous. He stretches the defense with his ability to step outside and while some of his shots may seem forced inside, he also is one of our best at getting to the foul line (and hits them at one of the highest percentages on the team). Who takes his minutes?

I’m guessing by your screen name that I have your answer. I will love to see Hanner get some more minutes, but he isn’t ready to play 15-20 yet. Lastly, if the players on this team are not “accountable,” I don’t know the meaning of that word. These guys are putting in time on their own, working on their weaknesses and looking to improve everyday.

Evansville Hoosier

I still believe Noah Vonleh will start next year, much like I thought Yogi would this year. After that though? Troy will probably be our 2nd or 3rd player off the bench.

Evansville Hoosier

I still believe Noah Vonleh will start next year, much like I thought Yogi would this year. After that though? Troy will probably be our 2nd or 3rd player off the bench.

CRawk

I listened to the pre-game interview of Oladipo and Don Fischer. Victor said he just wrapped up 18 credit hours this fall and is on track to graduate in May. Given his rising stock and consistent play, I would wager heavily that he opts out of his senior year at IU. And I couldn’t really blame him.

CreanFaithful

I think Fischer gets PT if Cody jumps ship. He’s already a very skilled player. Obviously, he could stand to bulk up before playing in the B1G…

PDXHoosier

I wouldn’t even take Nebraska, NW or PSU for granted. We lost at Nebraska last year and almost lost at PSU. Obviously we should be much better on the road this year, but every game will be a battle and an ugly game with a few clutch 3balls at the end could mean an upset.

PDXHoosier

I wouldn’t even take Nebraska, NW or PSU for granted. We lost at Nebraska last year and almost lost at PSU. Obviously we should be much better on the road this year, but every game will be a battle and an ugly game with a few clutch 3balls at the end could mean an upset.

PDXHoosier

It would be great if we had a go-to guy that could single-handedly win games for us (a la Draymond Green last year for MSU) at the end. I think our offense is so balanced we just need to trust everyone on the floor to make the play if they need to. I still think first option in the clutch should be Cody in the post or a VO iso. Hulls and CWat waiting for the kick out!

PDXHoosier

Cant believe people are still hating on VJ3. he did not suck, btw. CWat should be a starter, and will be the rest of the year.

b_side

Why pray-tell, was Hanner the first big off the bench as opposed to Elston in the first half vs. Iowa? Try again.

b_side

Why pray-tell, was Hanner the first big off the bench as opposed to Elston in the first half vs. Iowa? Try again.

Dagwoods

I agree that Noah is good (or at least supposed to be), but in a perfect, healthy program, Cody & Vic stays and the question becomes which freshman can jump over Will, Remy, Hanner & Hollowell. I guess specifically, would a freshman Vonleh be better than a 2nd year Hollowell or Perea. I hope so but won’t hold my breath until they get here and prove themselves. I’ve had enough of your Bracey Wrights & Marshal Stricklands (both top 5 Five Stars) – I’d take your Victor Oladipo’s all day long. I think Troy has a chance to be our next Oladipo (if he has the same work ethic).

calbert40

I think Illinois will fade somewhat. Like everyone else, I think IU and UM will be 1 and 2. After them, OSU, MN, MSU in some order. After that tier, Iowa, Illinois, Wisky and PU. I just think that Croce will have some trouble in his first year, and while I think both Wisky and PU are down this year, it seems like Ryan and Painter always get more out of their talent than expected.

For me: IU, UM, OSU, MN, MSU, Iowa, UW, Illinois, PU, NW, Neb, PSU.

hoosierstateofmind

Wow, maybe I’m just a big fan but I think we aren’t looking at just how valuable Cody is to this team. Last year we put the same team on the floor that we did in 2010-11 except we changed out the Pritch for Zeller. This year it’s the same starting linup as last year except we have Yogi instead of VJIII. Are Vic, Jordy, CWat and Will all better? Yes, Vic especially. But at the end of the day we are talking about a totally different team all because Zeller is on the floor. How quickly we forget how much we were getting out rebounded before Zeller came to town. Cody impacts the game every minute he is on the floor because teams have to know where he is at all times. You double him, he looks to pass. You front him and he looks crashes the offensive glass. You stay behind him and he burns you on the block. You don’t hedge a screen right on a pick and roll and the guard beats you to the rim. My point is that our team is different now than it was 2 years ago because of Zeller first and foremost. He’s our most important player not just because of his numbers, but his impact on the entire defense.

calbert40

You are absolutely right. My thought is that IU should defeat those three teams at least 19 out of 20 games regardless of venue. If they take them lightly, though, they certainly could lose.

Anyone else? You play poorly, and you will lose in the B1G this season. The league is as tough as any season I can remember since the late 80s.

calbert40

You are absolutely right. My thought is that IU should defeat those three teams at least 19 out of 20 games regardless of venue. If they take them lightly, though, they certainly could lose.

Anyone else? You play poorly, and you will lose in the B1G this season. The league is as tough as any season I can remember since the late 80s.

trailrunner

After watching the game twice this would have been a 15 point win if Hulls had hit even half of his open looks as he normally does. This will not happen again as Hulls is just too good a shooter. Yes Marble had an off night but it was because of our defense. Hulls however missed wide open shots he normally nails. I do not take any road contest for granted in this league but we controlled this game most of the way. A stat I found interesting was that IU is the only NCAA team with 5 players averaging > 11 ppg. Other squads are going to have a very difficult time game planning for us.

CreanFaithful

You are right. On top of that, if you take out Jordan’s misses, we still only go 47% from the field (nearly 30% less than our season average) and 40% from 3 point (just below our season average). We simply didn’t shoot the ball well as a team. If we can shoot that poorly and scrape out a win, I’m just fine with it!

On the other hand, I think this is also evidence that we have to continue to attack the rim first. We are a much better team when we force defenses to collapse, rather than take the first open look we see… we have such good shooters, we often loose sight of getting the HIGHEST % shots.

marcusgresham

I think they’re still trying to limit Elston’s minutes to get his leg fully healthy. I’d also venture to say you’re looking for more defense at that point and (although I love Derek,) he’s never really been a stopper.

Evansville Hoosier

I don’t know that that’s true… Yogi came in and didn’t necessarily “jump” Sheehey or Abell, he just replaced a graduating starter (much like Vonleh would replace Watford) that way no one loses their starting spot.

And I think if Troy spends his offseasons developing a consistent jump shot (they say his form is different every time; I can see that) and working on his ball handling, he’s Rudy Gay light! He’s that tremendous an athlete–and highlight player.